It's somewhat funny that in this low-tech country, I get my local news from email and RSS reader subscriptions. But, believe it or not, we don't own a radio so can't listen to the local news, and the television stations don't show a lot of news. They don't even run any programing for several hours a day. So when I woke up this morning and saw that there's no CNN-style election coverage on tv, I turned to the internet.
The news online this morning is that today's election has been postponed until Sunday. There's been a delay in distributing the ballots to all the polling places, apparently. Big surprise. But this begs the question, Is today still a holiday? It was only declared a holiday so that people could vote. Should I be getting ready for work right now? Mike's already left for the day (he's an observer) and I'm dying for him to call me with an update. But since he hasn't called, that means he's too busy so I shouldn't call him. Everyone I know is too busy working for the elections, and my official assignment is to stay home and not get stressed out. (I know that's better for me than running around observing elections, but it's so boring, especially for someone who loves elections as much as I do.)
AFP: Burundi postpones election, citing paper ballot delay
Nearly real-time updates, if you read French: Voice of Burundi
4 comments:
Glad you're staying safe and hope you won't get too bored. However, I know I'd have a hard time staying put, and it would take something like pregnancy to keep me home if I were you. Oh, and I say you take 2 holidays, the one initially promised and the new one. I have no rationale for this... just wanted to be supportive of what sounds like the most fun interpretation for you.
The things we take for granted - like never having elections postponed and having to go to work anyway on election day in the United States.
It's Friday, time for the weekly State Department Blog RoundUp - and you're on it!
Here is the link: http://bit.ly/amVBfj
(If I quoted your text or used your photo(s) and you would rather I had not, please let me know. Please also be sure to check the link(s) that I put up to you, in order to verify that they work properly. If you would rather that I had not referenced you, and/or do not want me to reference you in the future, please also contact me at stateroundup2.0 {at} gmail.com.)
Thanks!
David, I think we do take our system for granted. What are minor inconveniences to us have paralyzed a whole country. We have no fear of being killed based on who we vote for. We're not going to break out in a civil war if the "wrong" party gets elected. Burundi is a young democracy trying to prove itself and it's not doing a stellar job right now.
Post a Comment